Topics

A case of scarlet fever has been confirmed at Wakefield Elementary School.

“The child was sick on Friday and went home and parents followed up at the hospital, where the case was confirmed,” said Western Quebec School Board director of educational services Marian Lothian.

A parent phoned the school Monday morning to advise staff, and the child is taking antibiotics and recovering at home.

A letter was sent to parents via e-mail at 10:15 a.m., said Lothian, with a hard copy also going home with students.

A special cleaning crew was sent in Monday afternoon “just to double ensure that we have an extra cleaning job and disinfectant to make the school safe and clean,” said Lothian.

Scarlet fever is contagious.

Bacteria are transmitted through contact with the droplets of an infected person’s cough and sneeze, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, and you may be at risk if you’re touching your eyes, mouth, or nose after coming into contact with these fluids.

Scarlet fever hasn’t been reported to Ottawa’s public health department, said head of health information co-ordination Eric Leclair.

Since it’s a non-invasive form of group A streptococcus, and not a reportable disease, OPH doesn’t track scarlet fever.

If a school reported an outbreak, public health “might hear about it but there’s no special intervention besides treatment and exclusion for 24 hours of those infected,” said Leclair.

-Caused by Group A streptococcus, a bacterium commonly found in the throat and on the skin. These bacteria also cause strep throat.

-Often appears as a rash and is accompanied by a high fever and a strawberry-like appearance of the tongue. The illness is most common among children aged 5 to 18 years, but adults can also become infected.

-Symptoms include a very red, sore throat; a fever of 101F or higher; a red rash with a sandpaper-like feel; swollen glands in the neck; and a whitish coating on the surface of the tongue.

-Symptoms usually begin one to four days after exposure to the bacteria. The rash usually lasts for two to seven days, after which the skin may peel.

-Less common symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, and body aches.

-Complications as a result of untreated scarlet fever are rare and include rheumatic heart disease and kidney damage, also known as post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

-Proper handwashing is crucial.

-Avoid sharing eating utensils, linens, towels, or other personal items that could come into contact with bodily fluids.